“Incident Management System (ICS) 402 Training” at Mercer County College, West Windsor

Apr. 11

“Procurement Update and Ethics” at Mt. Laurel

Apr. 13

Support the Troops Pancake Breakfast At Lawrenceville

Apr. 15

“Procurement Update and Ethics” at Holmdel

Apr. 18 & May 5

“Human Resources in the Municipal Environment” at Mt. Laurel and Holmdel.

Apr. 19

Passover begins

INSIDE
THIS ISSUE

Mayors Hall of Fame

Scholarship Competition

Conference Sessions

League Merchandise

Past President Hagemeister Dies

FROM THE PRESIDENTBy Robert L. Bowser, Mayor, East Orange City

On March 6 and March 13 the League held special briefings in Trenton on the CMPTRA cuts proposed by the Administration. Governor Corzine attended the March 13 briefing. The briefings were attended by hundreds of municipal officials from across the state who heard the Administration’s call for municipalities to “tighten belts.”

As one mayor put it, if we tighten our belts any more our eyes will pop out.

We know the state is in a fiscal mess. We know balancing a budget means tough choices, creative solutions and often some pain. We know this because we have balanced municipal budgets year-after-year. We understand the situation.

We also disagree with the proposed solution and it is our duty as mayors of our communities to speak out and identify the problems a flawed solution will bring.

I thank the hundreds who attended the briefing and provided examples of the local efforts to date in the areas of consolidation, shared service, reductions, and creative solutions. Official after official gave examples of how they could be even more efficient if not for statutes and regulations that result in increased costs. Many explained that they were already cutting essential services before the proposal to cut CMPTRA was announced.

And we must, as mayors, continue our efforts because we will balance out budgets – again. Please see the “Next Steps in this Newsline and please, continue your efforts.

Nomination forms for the 2008 Mayors’ Hall of Fame were recently mailed to all Mayors. This special recognition is given to Mayors who have served at least 10 years for the silver level, or 20 years for the gold level. Please review the full list of current Hall of Fame Mayors at the League web site. If any mayors are missing that should be included, please nominate them on the official 2008 Mayors’ Hall of Fame nomination form.

In January, all mayors received information on the Louis Bay 2nd Future Municipal Leaders Scholarship competition.By April 5, you should submit your local winner to the League office along with a tally of your local entries. The League judging panel includes Mayor Phyllis Marchand of Princeton Township, Mayor Chuck Chiarello of Buena Vista Township, and League staff members Michael Darcy, Helen Yeldell, and Deborah Kole. Mayor Phyllis Marchand of Princeton Township also serves as Scholarship Chairwoman.On May 4, winners are announced and checks are sent to the respective winners’ mayors for formal presentations. The top three winners each receives $1,000 scholarships provided by the League for presentation by the hometown mayors.

The League is proud to offer our membership merchandise bearing the League’s logo at reduced cost. The vast array of merchandise includes pens, clocks, umbrellas, travel mugs and wearable items for each season. Take a few minutes to look at all of our quality merchandise at our web site. Go to “About NJLM” and then click on “Order League Merchandise.” Help support your League by purchasing some merchandise today.

1. Contact your Legislators and urge them to restore budget cuts. Illustrate how these cuts will impact your citizens and taxpayers. Remind them of all you are already doing to limit property tax increases -service sharing, deferral of capital projects, service cuts, etc. 2. Engage your citizens and community groups in your efforts. 3. Contact reporter(s) and explain local impact on quality if life. 4. Do a letter to the editor and/or Op-Ed piece. 5. Attend one of the hearings of the Senate and Assembly Budget Committees. The League has reserved time slots for each of the hearings and, even if you can NOT speak, your presence there is extremely important. Contact Jon Moran at the League office at jmoran@njslom.com or (609) 695-3481, ext. 121. He will be coordinating these details. 6. Register in the League's Urgent E-Lines for updates and consult the League's website often to stay informed on the latest developments. 7. Keep NJLM informed of your efforts by contacting Bill Dressel bdressel@njslom.com or by phone at (609) 695-3481, ext. 122.

Past President Hagemeister Dies-Contact Bill Dressel extension 122

George Hagemeister, 82 formerly of Sparta, died March 7. George was League President in 1973 and remained very active on the Executive Board and the League headquarters Board of Trustees. His warm humor and good counsel will be missed by the League.

This spring several important League publications will be updated. If you have old copies in your file, plan to get these latest versions when they become available in April and May.2008 Municipal Directory; 2007 Laws of Interest to Municipalities; The 2008 Federal Directory; A Primer: The Open Public Meetings Act; At your Fingertips: Legislative Roster